Method and system for capturing memories of deceased individuals

ABSTRACT

A method, system, and computer software product for capturing and distributing memories of a deceased individual. An electronic storage memory database is provided having controls for allowing selective entry of information into said database with respect to said selected individual. Individuals can be pre-authorization for accessing said database for viewing or entering of data into the database with respect to a deceased individual. Also a gatekeeper can be designated for providing editorial control over entry of said data.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the compilation and managing ofmemories of deceased individuals. In particular to a method and systemthat allows the compilation of images, text or other information withrespect to a particular individual from a variety of unrelated sourcesand also allows controlled access by various individuals.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Today when an individual dies, a family member or close friendoften writes an obituary with regard to that individual. However, theseare typically written from a single point of view and are limited to thepoint of view of the writer. Also, information for these obituaries isgenerally taken at a time when the individuals providing the informationare under an emotional stress. Thus, these obituaries may not accuratelyportray or provide a complete understanding of the individual. Finally,these obituaries are generally limited to distribution in localnewspapers whereas the individual may have known or been known by manypeople throughout the country and/or world.

[0003] In the case of people who are well known such as celebrities,obituaries are kept on file and can be accessed, reported and/or printedby the media in the event the person passes. This of course is not thecase for the majority of people.

[0004] Thus there is a need to provide a way for gathering anddistributing information with regard to a deceased individual whichtakes into account points of view from a variety of differentindividuals, and therefore provides a more complete understanding of thedeceased, that can be viewed and distributed in a wide manner.

[0005] The present invention seeks to solve these problems by utilizinga communication network, such as the Internet, for allowing people tosubmit and access an obituary library whereby text messages, images,sound and other data may be submitted and/or accessed by variousindividuals.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there isprovided a method for capturing and distributing memories of a deceasedindividual, comprising the steps of:

[0007] providing an electronic storage memory database that can beaccessed over a communication network, the electronics storage memorydatabase having a unique address for storing data with respect to thedeceased individual;

[0008] the database having means for allowing selective entry ofinformation into the database with respect to the selected individual.

[0009] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention thereis provided a method for capturing and distributing memories of adeceased individual comprising the steps of:

[0010] providing an electronic storage database for an individual thatcan be accessed over a communication network, the database having aunique address;

[0011] providing means for accessing the database over the communicationnetwork;

[0012] the database having means for allowing entry of data into thedatabase with respect to the individual;

[0013] providing pre-authorization for selected individual for accessingthe database.

[0014] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present inventionthere is provided a method for capturing and distributing memories of adeceased individual comprising the steps of:

[0015] providing an electronic storage database for an individual thatcan be accessed over a communication network, the database having aunique address;

[0016] providing means for accessing the database over the communicationnetwork;

[0017] the database having means for allowing entry of data into thedatabase with respect to the individual;

[0018] providing a gatekeeper for having editorial control over entry ofthe data.

[0019] In accordance with still another aspect of the present inventionthere is provided a method for capturing and distributing memories of adeceased individual comprising the steps of:

[0020] providing an electronic storage database for an individual thatcan be accessed over a communication network, the database having aunique address;

[0021] providing means for accessing the database over the communicationnetwork;

[0022] the database having means for allowing entry of data into thedatabase with respect to the individual;

[0023] providing pre-approval of the information prior to being enteredinto the database.

[0024] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention thereis provided a method for capturing and distributing memories of adeceased individual, comprising the steps of:

[0025] providing and electronic storage memory database that can beaccessed over a communication network, the electronics storage memorydatabase having a unique address for the deceased individual;

[0026] providing means for automatically accessing the database withrespect to the individual over the communication network;

[0027] database having means for allowing entry of information into thedatabase with respect to the selected individual.

[0028] In accordance with still another aspect of the present inventionthere is provided a system for capturing and distributing memories of adeceased individual, comprising:

[0029] an electronic storage memory database that can be accessed over acommunication network, the electronics storage memory database having aunique address for storing data with respect to the deceased individual,the database having means for allowing selective entry of informationinto the database with respect to the selected individual.

[0030] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present inventionthere is provided a software product such that when loaded onto acomputer it would cause the computer to do the following steps:

[0031] providing pre-authorization for selected individual for accessingthe database;

[0032] providing a gatekeeper for having editorial control over entry ofthe data;

[0033] providing pre-approval of the information prior to being enteredinto the database.

[0034] These and other aspects, objects, features and advantages of thepresent invention will be more clearly understood and appreciated from areview of the following detailed description of the preferredembodiments and appended claims, and by reference to the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] In the detailed description of the preferred embodiments of theinvention presented below, reference is made to the accompanyingdrawings in which:

[0036]FIG. 1 illustrates a system made in accordance to the presentinvention for gathering and distributing of information with regard to adeceased individual;

[0037]FIG. 2a illustrates a general access living virtual obituary webpage/site made in accordance to the present invention;

[0038]FIG. 2b illustrates a private access living virtual obituary webpage/site made in accordance to the present invention;

[0039]FIG. 3 illustrates an access card for accessing information withregard to a deceased individual distributed from a site as described inFIG. 1;

[0040]FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of a Kioskused foraccessing the virtual reality obituary web page/site in accordance tothe present invention;

[0041]FIG. 5 describes a flow chart of one method of operation of thepresent invention; and

[0042]FIG. 6 describes a flow chart showing another embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0043] Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a system 10 made inaccordance to the present invention for gathering and distributing ofinformation with regard to a deceased individual. In the embodimentillustrated, system 10 includes a communication network 12 that isfreely accessible by individuals. In the particular embodimentillustrated the communication network 12 is the Internet. However, itcan be any other appropriate communication network that may be utilized.System 10 includes a funeral home 14 or other similar type businessestablishment having an electronic database that can be accessed by theInternet service provider 16 for allowing communication over theInternet. In the embodiment illustrated the electronic databasecomprises a computer/server 18. The computer/server 18 includes a dataentry system 20, for allowing data entry regarding the deceasedindividual to be entered either by the funeral home or by any guest,employee or other individual at the funeral home. Typically the dataentry mechanism is a keyboard, microphone, digital camera, smart card,computer mouse or other computer data entry device. The computer 18contains software which enables the users to create and maintain aliving virtual obituary web, communicate with the Internet, accept andstore data about the deceased, and provide a system for data viewing,adding information, and for providing and maintaining various levels ofaccess to the obituary web page/site 25. The software can reside notonly on the hosting server but also on the individual user's personalcomputer 44, 45 at their home or office and on a Kiosk 60.

[0044] Now referring to FIGS. 2a and 2 b, the living virtual obituaryweb page/site is illustrated. The virtual living obituary web page/site25 is established on behalf of a deceased individual and is hosted on aserver 26. This can be established and maintained at the funeral home 14or may be hosted at a hosting obituary service 21 which is incommunication with the Internet 12. The advantage of having a funeralhome or hosting service is they can provide the service for a multitudeof individuals, thus potentially lowering the cost for each web pageestablished.

[0045] The web page/site 25 will have its' own URL 24 that can beaccessed via the Internet. The individual who sets up that web page/site25 (hereinafter referred to as the owner or controller) can be providedwith editorial controls for determining the type and manner of allowinginformation to be entered onto the web page/site 25. The controller canset up a filter for reviewing submitted data for placement on the webpage/site 25. For example, the controller can monitor the type ofinformation that is placed thereon and set up appropriate access forthird parties. The controller or someone on his/her behalf entersbackground information about the deceased. For example, the data entrysystem 20 at the funeral home 14 can be used for establishing andentering initial information regarding the deceased individual. Theinitial information can include, but is not limited to, the name andaddress of the deceased 34, names of the surviving family members 35 andpreviously deceased family members 36 such as brothers, sisters, wives,husbands, children, grand children and great grand children. The initialinformation can also include a template 37 setting forth the manner andstructure of the web page/site 25. Additional information such as a listof authorized individuals 38 to input information into the web page/site25 and the type of information/data 39 that may be entered on to the webpage/site 25. A system similar to the system used in IBM's Lotus Notessoftware for providing access to a person's calendar by others forviewing, adding meetings, and managing can be set up for accessing theobituary website/page 25. For example, multimedia information 48 such astext, images, and sound that are to be associated with the deceasedindividual can be entered. In a further embodiment the multimediainformation 48 can be used by the deceased to leave a message to peoplefor reading after the individual's death. This can be done either inanticipation of death or not.

[0046] The images can be in the form of still images or streamingdigital images. As previously discussed, the controller can provide anydesired editorial controls. For example, access to the web page/site 25can be unrestricted or restricted by passwords that are passed out toselected individuals. In addition, certain sections in the web page/site25 can be set up having different restricted access. For example, therecan be a section for general access 49 and a second section such as aprivate section 51. The general access can be limited to friends,neighbors, and co-workers while the second section may be exclusivelyfor family members and closest friends. It is of course understood thatany desired number of sections can be established, each with its own setof authorizing rules for viewing and/or submission data/information.Since different individuals have different points of views and may havemany interesting facts/information about the deceased individual thatmany others may not be aware of, the web page/site 25 provides amechanism whereby people can share different experiences with thedeceased individual. This allows people viewing the web page/site 25 agreater understanding of the individual that has passed. For example,people at work may know certain things that the individual has done thatthe family would like to know about. However, the deceased individualmay have never told the family about these things. The obituary webpage/site 25 can also provide related information, for example, fullname and addresses of relative's or other individual's etc.

[0047] Traditionally funeral homes have been responsible for providinglocal newspapers with information about the deceased. With theadditional information provided by the deceased's family and friend, thefuneral home now has the opportunity to notify of out of town newspaperssuch as the newspaper of the town where the deceased grew up or workedetc. This may be done via a connection to the web page/site 25, or byany other means.

[0048] Similarly, the funeral home can notify alumni organizations,service groups and other organizations of which the deceased might havebeen a member.

[0049] The web page/site 25 can also be set up so that text and/orimages are placed together or in different locations. The web page/site25 can include a specific categories 52 which may in turn be furtherdivided into categories, for example sections directed to particularevents and times in the life of the deceased individual. It is to beunderstood that the web page/site 25 can be segmented in any desiredmanner and structure so as to correspond to the life experiences of thedeceased individual.

[0050] Another provision of the invention is that the web page/site 25can also include instructions in the form of a prompt 55 and a place toenter a credit card number for making donations to certain charitableorganizations, in lieu of flowers.

[0051] As previously discussed, the site will have a URL address 24 thatcan be accessed over the Internet by a variety of individuals. Onemanner in which information can be accessed or distributed from thissite would be through the use of an access card 22 as illustrated inFIG. 3. The access card can include a variety of information but wouldinclude at least the URL address 24 of the site. In addition, a bar codeor magnetic stripe 29 can be provided for devices that can read thisinformation and automatically go to the site. Additional informationsuch as the name of the deceased 27, the date of birth and the date onwhich the deceased and passed away 28 can be shown on the card.

[0052] In the particular embodiment illustrated, an image 30 of thedeceased individual is displayed on card 22 as selected by the personsetting up the web page/site 25. Other information such as informationabout the sponsor 32 can also be provided. For example, this may includeinformation about the sponsoring business establishment that initiatedthe web page/site, such as the funeral home 14 who handled the funeralarrangements with respect to the deceased, as this may be a way todefray the costs of operating the web page/site. However, it is to beunderstood the sponsoring organization may be any organization thatdesires to sponsor the site and/or provide some service related thereto.The cards 22 can be passed out to individuals who visit the funeral home14 where the deceased is presented (for example at a wake or funeral).Alternatively, the cards 22 can be sent out directly by the controller,or someone on his/her behalf. In the particular embodiment illustrated,the bar code and/or magnetic stripe 26 is illustrated as being on thefront side 34. However, it is to be understood that this can be placedon the backside (not shown). Also, any other appropriate information canbe placed on either side of the access card 22.

[0053] Referring back to FIG. 1, there is illustrated how individualsare given access to the web site. For example, in the embodimentillustrated, individuals at remote sites such as their homes 40 oroffices 42 access the web page/site 25 through appropriate Internetservice providers 41, 43, respectively. As illustrated, the individualsat home use a personal computer 44 or other type of device to access theInternet 12 and to input data/information to be added to the webpage/site 25. The personal computers 44 and 45 are hooked up to dataentry devices 46 and 47 respectively. These devices 46 and 47 mayinclude, but are not limited to keyboards, scanners, microphone and/orcameras for enabling images or any other desired data to be uploaded tothe web page/site 25. It is to be understood the present invention isnot limited to the data/information discussed herein, and that anydata/information uploaded and/or displayed at and/or from any locationfor the purposes described herein is covered by this invention.

[0054] In the embodiment previously discussed, people are advised oftheir ability to access the web site/page 25 through the distribution ofan access card 22, FIG. 3. It is of course understood that thisinformation can be disseminated by other means either at the funeralhome or through a newspaper or by any other means. In an alternateembodiment, which is especially desirable in situations where access isto be restricted to only close friends and relatives of the deceased, asign up book (not shown) is provided at the funeral home 14 whereindividuals can place their names and/or e-mail addresses. An e-mail, orother notification can be sent to these individuals who may eitherdesire to view the information already on the web page/site 25 or tosubmit new information by sending an e-mail, or any other notificationto the web site. In this way, an e-mail is sent which allows the clientat home to automatically have access to the web site.

[0055] Depending on the type of security system set up by theowner/controller of the site, new information input by third partiesgoes through a variety of different paths. For example, the informationentered by third party individuals can be automatically added to theliving virtual obituary web page/site 25, as submitted. Alternatively,their information may be forwarded to the controller (or delegatedparty) who will approve and/or edit the information before postinginformation on the virtual obituary web site/page 25. In another formthe controller modifies the information for placement on the web site 25or sends it back to the submitter for approval for posting on the website 25. Alternatively, the controller of the web site can just simplyreject the information with or without replying to the submitter.Illustrations of these paths are described later in FIG. 4.

[0056] Once information has been added to the living obituary website/page 25, subsequent viewers have access to all of the informationincluding that which has been most recently posted. This process isrepeated as many times as people choose to add new information orcomments to the living obituary web site. No time limit need be set foradding information, which may go on for years into the future. This alsoprovides a valuable resource for people doing family tree searches forviewing and getting a greater understanding of the individual that haspassed away and also information about relatives of that individual.

[0057] In the particular embodiment illustrated, the web page/site 25has been limited to the viewing and submitting of information. Inanother embodiment of the present invention the service enablesindividuals to order hard copy goods and/or services. Referring to FIG.1, individuals can request copies of information and/or images that hadbeen submitted to the web site 25. This information may include, forexample, images, text, and/or sound that have been submitted by friendsand relatives that were unfamiliar or unknown to the viewer. In suchcases the web page/site 25 provides information that is immediatelylinks the viewer to a service provider 50, such as Print @ Kodak, overthe Internet. The service provider 50 can then fulfill the request forgoods and/or services and deliver the goods and/or services to theviewer. It is of course understood that appropriate mechanisms forpayment of these services, the information of the types of goods and/orservices requested and where they are to be delivered are provided asdescribed in patent application Ser. No. 09/378,159, Aug. 19, 1999 whichis hereby included by reference. The individual can also print locallyusing their personal home computer or print locally at the Kiosk 60. Thebenefit of the current system is that once the individual sees somethingthat is desirable, an immediate link is made to provider 50 for theordering of the goods and/or services. A referral fee may be collectedby the web page/site 25 for any business forwarded to the provider 50from the web page/site 25.

[0058] Individuals that do not have a computer at their home can haveaccess to web page/site 25 through the use of a Kiosk 60. Referring toFIG. 4 there is illustrated is a schematic diagram of a Kiosk 60 thatcan be used for accessing the virtual reality obituary web page/site 25.The Kiosk 60 is provided with appropriate input controls allowing accessto the Internet 12 and to the web 25. The Kiosk 60 also includes adisplay screen 62, a data entry mechanism, such as a keyboard 64 fordata entry by the user, and a card slot 66 having an associated readerfor reading of the information on the access card 22. This Kiosk 60 canbe located at a remote site placed at a business establishment such asthe funeral home 14. However, it is to be understood that the Kiosk 60can be of any commercial type and placed in any appropriate location.The Kiosk 60 having an appropriate payment mechanism 68 is capable ofreceiving payments for any goods and/or services. In the particularembodiment illustrated, the Kiosk 60, as shown in FIG. 3, has thecapability of providing copies of text and/or images to the user. Inanother option, the Kiosk 60 is equipped with the appropriate devicesfor producing CDs, tapes, and other recordings on which images, text,sound and other data are contained. In such cases an output deliverydevice 70 is provided for the delivering of the requested product to theuser of the Kiosk 60. Of course other input or output devices 72, 74 maybe provided as desired.

[0059] In the particular embodiment described above, the access card 22can provide automatic access to the web page/site 25. The reader (notshown) reads the barcode from the access card 22 and thereby allowsinstant access to the web site 25. In this situation, the access card 22can be used to provide a type of password protection so that onlyindividuals who possess the access card 22 and know the appropriatepassword are able to automatically and quickly link them to the webpage/site 25. The access card 22 also includes codes for multiple accesslevels so that only the appropriate level of access is provided for theparticular cardholder.

[0060] To better understand the present invention, a brief descriptionof this operation will now be discussed in greater detail.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 5, a flow chart describes one method ofoperation of the present invention. A web page/site 25 is created forthe deceased, step 80. The appropriate base line information is providedon the web site, step 82. The location of the web page/site 25 andinstructions/access to it are provided to desired individuals such asfamily members and friends, step 84. The individuals access the web siteand view the information contained on it, step 86. At step 88, anindividual accessing the site may check and edit previously enteredinformation or may decide to enter new information. In one embodiment,the database storing the information is then updated, step 90 andindividuals subsequently accessing the web page/site 25 will then seethe updated information.

[0062] Referring now to FIG. 6, a flow chart describes anotherembodiment of a method of operation of the present invention. Thecontroller of the web page/site 25 screens the information submitted,step 94, and decides whether to accept, reject, or modify the newlysubmitted information. If the information is accepted, the database forthe web page/site 25 is modified, step 90. If the information isrejected, an email, or other notification, is sent to the submitternotifying them of the rejection, at decision block, step 96. If thecontroller decides to edit the information, step 102, he or she sendsthe modified submission back to the submitter, step 104. The submittercan either accept the edited version, decision block, step 106 in whichcase the database is updated, step 90, or reject the edited version,decision block, step 106, in which case the process ends, step 100.

[0063] As previously noted, not only can information be submitted byvarious people, it can also be shared by many viewers so that all canhave a common understanding of the life of the deceased individual.Also, as previously discussed, there may be information entered onto theweb page/site 25, which is new to many viewers. For example, a personmay see an image of a particular event or person which is new to them,and they may wish to own a copy of it. In this system they may requestthat a copy of the image either from the controller of the web page/site25 or from a service provider 50. A link may be provided to the serviceprovider 50 whereby the information being displayed may be turned intohard copy images, CDs, or other products that the provider may offer. Inaddition, information may be provided on the database of where the imageor text originated so that the viewing individual may go back to thisindividual and get perhaps a higher quality image from the originalsource, which then could be again turned, into a product for the user.In addition to providing these services, there may be providedincentives for people to use the service provider by the providing ofcoupons and certificates good for being redeemable at a particularprovider based on the fact that the images were originally gathered fromthis web site.

[0064] One of the advantages of the present invention is thatinformation may be added and/or shared by various individuals at anytime from remote locations. This allows greater time for reflection, forremembering things about the individual, and for deciding what should bestated about the individual. Also, this invention provides a mechanismwhereby information about a variety of different individuals can begrouped, commonly stored, and accessed quickly and easily in acontrolled manner. Also, the present invention, by gathering names ofindividuals at a time when they come together at the funeral, permitsinformation to be easily gathered from a large variety of sources. Inaddition, the present invention allows this information to be gatheredin a relatively unobtrusive manner, i.e. by providing cards that peoplejust simply take with them for later use. Finally, it also providese-mail addresses so that individuals can contact each other at someappropriate time in the future.

[0065] It is to be understood that various modifications and changes maybe made without departing from the present invention, the presentinvention being defined by the following claims.

PARTS LIST

[0066] 10 system

[0067] 12 Internet

[0068] 14 funeral home

[0069] 16 ISP/server

[0070] 18 computer/server

[0071] 20 data entry system

[0072] 21 hosting obituary service

[0073] 22 access card

[0074] 24 URL

[0075] 25 Web page/site

[0076] 26 server

[0077] 27 name of deceased

[0078] 28 date

[0079] 29 bar code/magnetic stripe

[0080] 30 image

[0081] 32 sponsor

[0082] 34 front side

[0083] 35 names of the surviving

[0084] 36 previously deceased family members

[0085] 37 template

[0086] 38 authorized individuals

[0087] 39 information/data

[0088] 40 home

[0089] 41 Internet service providers

[0090] 42 office

[0091] 43 Internet service providers

[0092] 44 computer/server

[0093] 45 computer/server

[0094] 46 data entry device

[0095] 47 data entry device

[0096] 48 multimedia information

[0097] 49 general access

[0098] 50 service provider

[0099] 51 private access

[0100] 52 categories

[0101] 55 prompt

[0102] 60 Kiosk

[0103] 62 display screen

[0104] 64 keyboard

[0105] 66 card slot

[0106] 68 payment mechanism

[0107] 70 output delivery device

[0108] 80 step

[0109] 82 step

[0110] 84 step

[0111] 86 step

[0112] 88 step

[0113] 90 step

[0114] 94 step

[0115] 96 step

[0116] 98 step

[0117] 100 step

[0118] 102 step

[0119] 104 step

[0120] 106 step

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for capturing and distributing memoriesof a deceased individual, comprising the steps of: providing anelectronic storage memory database that can be accessed over acommunication network, said electronics storage memory database having aunique address for storing data with respect to said deceasedindividual; said database having means for allowing selective entry ofinformation into said database with respect to said selected individual.2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said means for selective accesssaid database comprises: an information card having the address of saidselected individual.
 3. A method according to claim 2 wherein saidinformation card includes scannable data that can be scanned forallowing automatic access to said database for said selected individual.4. A method according to claim 1 wherein said means for accessing saiddatabase is provided when the deceased is being presented for viewing.5. A method according to claim 5 wherein said means for accessing saiddatabase is provided when the wake or funeral of said individual isconducted.
 6. A method according to claim 1 wherein means forautomatically accessing said database includes a web page on saidelectronic storage memory database having a unique URL.
 7. A methodaccording to claim 7 wherein said web page includes a template whichsetting forth the manner and structure of the web page/site.
 8. A methodaccording to claim 6 wherein said web page is hosted by a businessestablishment having a plurality of such web pages.
 9. A methodaccording to claim 1 wherein said data may comprise any one of thefollowing: text, image, or sound.
 10. A method according to claim 1wherein said information comprises multi-media information.
 11. A methodaccording to claim 1 wherein said database has a public and privatesection.
 12. A method for capturing and distributing memories of adeceased individual comprising the steps of: providing an electronicstorage database for an individual that can be accessed over acommunication network, said database having a unique address; providingmeans for accessing said database over said communication network; saiddatabase having means for allowing entry of data into said database withrespect to said individual; providing pre-authorization for selectedindividual for accessing said database.
 13. A method according to claim12 wherein said providing pre-authorization for selected individual foraccessing said database comprises providing of access cards having theelectronic address of said electronic storage database.
 14. A method forcapturing and distributing memories of a deceased individual comprisingthe steps of: providing an electronic storage database for an individualthat can be accessed over a communication network, said database havinga unique address; providing means for accessing said database over saidcommunication network; said database having means for allowing entry ofdata into said database with respect to said individual; providing agatekeeper for having editorial control over entry of said data.
 15. Amethod for capturing and distributing memories of a deceased individualcomprising the steps of: providing an electronic storage database for anindividual that can be accessed over a communication network, saiddatabase having a unique address; providing means for accessing saiddatabase over said communication network; said database having means forallowing entry of data into said database with respect to saidindividual; providing pre-approval of said information prior to beingentered into said database.
 16. A method for capturing and distributingmemories of a deceased individual, comprising the steps of: providingand electronic storage memory database that can be accessed over acommunication network, said electronics storage memory database having aunique address for said deceased individual; providing means forautomatically accessing said database with respect to said individualover said communication network; database having means for allowingentry of information into said database with respect to said selectedindividual.
 17. A method according to claim 16 wherein said means forautomatically accessing said database comprises: an information cardhaving the address of said selected individual.
 18. A method accordingto claim 17 wherein said information card includes scannable data thatcan be scanned for allowing automatic access to said database for saidselected individual.
 19. A method according to claim 16 wherein saidmeans for accessing said database is provided when the deceased is beingpresented for viewing.
 20. A method according to claim 19 wherein saidmeans for accessing said database is provided when the wake or funeralof said individual is conducted.
 21. A method according to claim 16wherein means for automatically accessing said database includes a webpage on said electronic storage memory database having a unique URL. 22.A method according to claim 21 wherein said web page includes a templatewhich setting forth the manner and structure of the web page/site.
 23. Amethod according to claim 21 wherein said web page is hosted by abusiness establishment having a plurality of such web pages.
 24. Amethod according to claim 16 wherein said electronic data base isaccessed by a Kiosk.
 25. A method according to claim 16 wherein saidelectronic data base is accessed by personal computer at location remotefrom said electronic data base.
 26. A method according to claim 16wherein said information comprises multi-media information.
 27. A methodaccording to claim 16 wherein said database has a public and privatesection.
 28. A system for capturing and distributing memories of adeceased individual, comprising: an electronic storage memory databasethat can be accessed over a communication network, said electronicsstorage memory database having a unique address for storing data withrespect to said deceased individual, said database having means forallowing selective entry of information into said database with respectto said selected individual.
 29. A system according to claim 28 furthercomprising a remote communication device for communication with saidelectronic storage memory data base over said communication network. 30.A system according to claim 29 wherein said communication networkcomprises the internet.
 31. A system according to claim 30 wherein saidremote communication device comprises a personal computer.
 32. A systemaccording to claim 31 wherein said remote communication device comprisesa Kiosk.
 33. A system according to claim 32 wherein said Kiosk includesa reader for reading information from an information storage device forallowing automatic access to said unique address at said electronicstorage memory database.
 34. A system according to claim 33 wherein saidinformation storage device comprises an access card.
 35. A systemaccording to claim 34 wherein said includes a machine readable codewhich provides information for said automatic access.
 36. A softwareproduct such that when loaded onto a computer it would cause thecomputer to do the following steps: providing pre-authorization forselected individual for accessing said database; providing a gatekeeperfor having editorial control over entry of said data; providingpre-approval of said information prior to being entered into saiddatabase.